A Pocket Full Of Sunshine: Phin Avenue Parkette

Did you know that Toronto currently has about 1,600 existing parks and 600 kilometres of trails?! That's roughly 8,000 hectares — about 13 per cent of Toronto’s overall land area! In fact, thanks to our bountiful tree canopy - preserved, even amongst the urban crowding of the downtown core - Toronto was ranked 5th in a study of the "greenest" cities in the world(MIT, Treepedia).

While the larger, more well-known parks - such as High Park, Trinity Bellwoods or Riverdale Park - get a lot of well-deserved attention, there are hundreds green spaces rooted throught the city that are worth exploring! In our opinon, what makes these 'tucked away' parks and parkettes so special, are the ways in which they serve their individual neighbourhoods; how a community utilizes a green space can elevate a park from a generic public leisure space to something beloved and with unique potential.

A prime example? Phin Avenue Parkette (115 Condor Ave) in The Pocket!

It's said that good things come in small packages, and in this instance, we agree! Phin is actually a "parkette" - being under 0.5 hectares - and could be said to be well-sized relative to small neighbourhood it is nestled in. On a weekday afternoon, the park is frequented by recreation lovers, nature enthusiasts, and nearby resident simply enjoying a stroll. The height of summer sees children cooling off in the wading pool, while parents look on, catching up with their neighbours. Resident dogs love socializing here just as much as their owners do; it seems like everyone knows everyone!

Photo courtesy of the PCA

Beyond being oasis of lush greenery, and providing releif from endless concrete, this parkette offers a surprising amount of amenities for a green space of it's size. The perks of this parkette include a play structure, running track, wading pool, basketball court, and even a small soccer field - not bad for less than a hectare!

While it's a public space, and visited by people from all across the city, Phin's geography and size give it a more intimate feel than, say, Sorauren Park or Monarch Park. That, combined with the fact that The Pocket is a realtively small, suburban-feeling enclave, inaccessible on three sides, seems to lend the park a sense of belonging to those that live on the streets surrounding it, moreso than most other green spaces.

After all, what's most appealing about Phin is more than the grass or the gardens or the trees; this parkette is the heart of a community - a feeling that's intangible but cultivated.

Photo courtesy of the PCA

Residents of The Pocket - in particular, the Pocket Commuity Association and its committees - are constantly finding new ways to exploit the parkette's potential, both for recreation, well-being, and the betterment of the neighbourhood. Phin plays host to community barbecues, holiday celebrations, movie nights, fireworks, and street sale - and that's not the half of it. There's even a committee dedicated to the ecological upkeep and beautification of the parkette!

Photo courtesy of the PCA

We particularly applaud the neighbourhood's creation of 'Art in the Park', multi-disciplinary art program for kids, which functions in partnership with a different hired Artist in Residence each summer. Last summer - its third year running - the program wasn't able to secure the required funding from Toronto Arts Counsel. But, as tight-knit communities do, The Pocket's residents pulled together and raised $2,000 in donations to save the much-loved workshops. The PCA has applied to the Toronto Arts Council again this year for funding to run the much-loved Art in the Park program for a fourth summer.

Photo courtesy of the PCA

It should be said that there's no magic in the soil here; the grass and trees aren't naturally priviledged in any sort of way. The amazing feel and function of Phin Avenue Parkette has been affectionately cultivated through hard work, and is the product of like-minded individuals working toward the betterment of the neighbourhood. Any green space in the city holds the potential to elevated in this way, inmproving quality of life for all who share in it!

Whether you have an hour or an afternoon, spending time in your neighbourhood park - or exploring new parks - is a great way to get some fresh air, soak up some much-needed Vitamin D, and even engage with your community. How enriching would it be to have this green space within walking distance from your home? For the lucky new owner of A Charming Detached Edwardian Residence In The Pocket, offered at $1,039,000, this gorgeous parkette will be less than a minute stroll away! Dreamy!

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